The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-04
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
FIGHTING POULTRY vEaMrN IN sUan1rR.

pouAlfylnan u tnaI OF tluuing the premises OF
yermin. Most persons do not become aware Of
the presence ofvermin until the little red mites
are seen in myriads. These can easily DO de-
stroyed by using proper methods. The great
seourge Of poultry is not the mites but the large
body-louse that hides at the base of the feathers
on the head and neck. As theyare only found
there on the fowls, an examination Of the quar-
tiers does not reveal them, when they may be
busily at work on the birds. When the hens
seem to droop without apparent cause, the
chances are that close examination on their
heads and necks will reveal swarms Of these
lice. Little chicks, especially those that feather
very rapidly, such as Dorkings, Games and
Leghorns, will soon succumb to the large lice,
and often the cause will be ascribed TO some
thing else.
To prevent lice on fowls, the best thing is
the dust-bath, which must consist Of fine, dry
clay or coal ashes. If the quarters are kept
clean, the hens will prevent the attacks Of lice
by busting, but when once the lice put in an APP
| pearance, the poultryman is compelled to take
active measures, as the lice must be fought un-
| til not single one remains. Kerosene must
not be used on the bodies Of the hens, as it will
| sometimes kill them. For the large body-lice,
| first grease the heads, necks, and vents with a
mixture made by adding a teaspoonful of crude
petroleum to every gill of lard. Use it warm,
so it will spread well. Then dust the hens we'll
with California or Persian Insect Powder Re-
peat this every third day, and dust every por-
| ton OF the body, but do not grease the body
only the head, neck and yent.-American Agri-
cultEris.
CUT Or GROUND HAY.
In some places hay is cut into inch and half
inch pieces and then ground, for the purpose Of
feeding cattle, horses, ETC., in the belief Of its
adding to the nutrition Of the food. Many
people have their hay cut into inch lengths for
feeding, and claim advantage over the usual
mode Of feeding hay as nature provides il for
] the use of the animals. We always doubted
this theory, for the reason that hay fed in the
usual manner performed all the offices Of nu-
triton, as il was perfectly digested, and there
was nothing more to be attained.
But, in order to sustain our theory, we con-
suited an old, careful livery keeper, who
had many horses, and who, in long series of
years, studied the profit and loss in the various
supplies for his stock. He said there was moth
ing gained in feeding cracked corn, but on the
contrary there was a loss in the increased price
demanded for it. Also, that cut hay was loss
to the extent Of the labor, which was by no
means triiie. Good hay, and none other,
should be fed; is eaten up clean where not too
much Is given at time. Oats should be fed
whole, mixed with little bran and moistened.
lie said he usually gave each horse in the
evening couple Of ears Of corn on the cob, and
they were greatly rolished. His horses were
IN the best Of health, he having lost but two by
disease in 30 years. This was the evidence,
we repeat, Of a careful and experienced man.
whom we knew all his life, and We believe the
facts stated cannot be successfully contradicted.
-GerRaaiOlrH Telegraph
TO SOFTEN HORSES FEET.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I was very
much interested in the communication Of VIM.
Berry, Of Manson, Iowa, in reply to a query
how 10 soften horses feet. 1t has been nv
misfortunefor the last three years, Immediately
on the approach of the dry weather in early
Summer, for one Of my horses feet to become as
hard as stone. The first year l did Just what
he advises, but the result was that in less than
week had produced thrush, which gave me
good amount of trouble, but finally yielded
TO per cent. solution OF carbolic acid
Now the last two years have put her into an
other stall. covered the floor where the forefeet
stand with loan and moistened il, and when my
horse is not in use in the daytime, let her stand
on that, and in weeks time her feet have been
as soft and pliable az any foot In health. There
Is too much heat TO manure to let the horse stand
| on II any length Of time. If ! hadn't had an
extra stall should have gonsinto the forest aud
gathered some moss. moistened and then packed
the foet with il. After walking the horse over
the barn floor once or twice IL will remain in
there until removed.-B. F. CLoUGH, n. D.,
40 Austin street, Worcester, Mass.
SORE FEET IN HORSES.
EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: Please inform
J. Il. c., Norwich, Conn., that J, S. Turner's
Hoof Packing removes fever, prevents corns,
cures thrush. sOftens and toughens the foot
J. .. TURNER Akron, o.
ANOTHER WAY TO KILL LIvEFoREYER.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some time ago
saw an inquiry ia the paper how 10 kill live
forever. have had some experience with this
plant, and 1 know of but one way to kill it.
Take equal parts Of hardwood ashes and salt
I and cover the roots about two or three inches
deep with the mixture. / would advise parties
wishing 70 kill it to experiment thoroughly,
and If successful publish the same in THE Ma
TIoSAL TRIBUNE. Z. MULLIN Constable
vile, Lewis Co., Y.
NOTES.
- Give the young chicks chance at the in
SectS IN the orchard and garden.
- DO not be afraid to thin out fruit or plants.
The same rule will apply to root crops
- Fowls will eat a great deal Of granulated
charcoal. AS preventive Of disease it is in
valuable.
Let it be a fixed determination with every
farmer to keep his grounds free from weeds,
cost what it will.
= Sulphur and tobacco leaves burned in the
poultry house, the house being closed perfectly
tight, will clean out the red lice says a con-
temporary.
- Fruit to bring good prices nowadays must
be fair and large, while small, inferior fruit of
any kind ia not worth the troube of sending
70 market.
- Grass should be cut II possible, when It is
dry. When help is plenty it is better TO do
this work in the afternoon, after the heat of
the day has partially subsidized.
sheep in an old weedy pasture or wood lot
will more than pay their keep in keeping down
the obnoxious weeds and briers while nothing
equals them for restoring fertility 10 worn
cut field.
- The largest apple orchard in the United
States j. claimed by Fairmcant in Leaven-
worth County, Kan. IL contains 457 acres and
IS composed OF 10000 trees. This years crop
| is estimated at 40 600 bushels
- A man IS already Ontrun In the race who
deliberately refuses TO nse pure sires in his
! herds and hOcks. Such one will continue 20
declare farming don't pay, Tor he prevents its
| paying by his own deliberate methods.
The pack Of canned fruits in California
this year is expected to be the heaviest ON rec
ord. Many new orchards have come into full
bearing for the first time this season, and the
result IA an enormous crop OF apricots, peaches
end pears.
- DIR. Goessman in a late bulletin. "a a can
ton TO farmers, says that the cottonseed. hull
ashes ought TO be sold only on basis of a GUAR
anteed composition. He gives four analyses
with the following valuations Der ton: sg6 ~
| 5000, $32.70 and $f0s3, q maximum differ.
ence Of over SO per ton.
CiTfv md Il.